How to open a JSON file online
Three steps, a few seconds, no software.
Open your .PAD file
Drop it on the box, choose it from your device, or paste the data straight in.
View the structure
Your .PAD file opens as a tidy, foldable tree, with the exact line of any error pointed out.
Search, copy or download
Search keys and values, copy any path or value, switch to a table, or download a clean copy.
What is a .PAD file?
The most common data format on the web.
A .pad file is most often a Portable Application Description (PAD) XML file, a small metadata document that software developers published so download sites could auto-populate their listings. It can also be an ACT! CRM database pointer. Open either type in a text editor; for the ACT! variant, use the Act! application.
Programs that open .PAD files
| Full name | Portable Application Description File |
|---|---|
| Developer | Association of Software Professionals (ASP) — founded 1998; ASP ceased operations December 31, 2021 |
| First released | 1998 (PAD v1.0 by Association of Shareware Professionals) |
| Category | Text & Code |
| MIME type | application/xml |
Related viewers
Every viewer is free to use.
Frequently asked questions
Is my .PAD file uploaded anywhere?
No. The file is opened directly from the copy you pick.
My .PAD file is invalid. Can you fix it?
We show the exact line and column of the first error. For common problems like comments, trailing commas, single quotes or Python-style True/False/None, click Try to repair and download the fixed file.
How large can the file be?
Up to 50 MB. The tree only builds the branches you open, so even multi-megabyte files stay responsive.
What is JSONPath?
A path like $.orders[3].customer.email that points to one value inside the data. Click any node to see its path and copy it for code, jq or your API docs.
Can I see my data as a table?
Yes. Any array of objects can be shown in the Table view and downloaded as CSV.
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